Twitter
Facebook
Reddit
Digg
Tell us what you think!Send a letter to the editor about this or any other article in The Maine Campus.
The University of Maine baseball team finished its three game homestand with a split in a doubleheader against conference rival Hartford on Sunday afternoon. The Hawks, who were left reeling after Saturday’s spectacular performance by Maine’s Mike MacDonald managed to pull off a surprising victory in the first game 6-1. Maine, however, rebounded in the rubber match, grabbing a 8-3 decision. With the split decisions, the Black Bears merit a 16-15 record on the season and 3-3 mark in America East competition. As for Hartford, the season continued to fall below expectations as they coasted to 7-17 tally and a 2-4 record in conference play.
In their first duel of the day, the Hawks managed to send across the plate in the top of the fourth inning to spring out to a commanding 3-0 lead. Hartford’s resident stud Ron Acabbo led off the inning with a home run to right field and then was followed by Ryan Cuscovitch, who sent a weak single into the outfield. Brian Eck continued the Hawks’ success at the plate with a single that all but confirmed Hartford’s sudden arrival to the series. They weren’t done either; Josh Topp reached first on a fielder’s choice, then proceeded to move to second on a Maine error. The Hawks garnered a 2-0 lead when Cuscovitch and Eck recorded runs. It didn’t take long for Maine to respond, as the Black Bears tallied a quick run in the bottom of the inning. For Maine, the answer was the bat and base running of the ever-resilient Greg Creek, who continued his recent success at the plate with a single to right. He then advanced to second on an error. Creek proceeded to score when Ryan Quintal singled to center field. For Maine it was the last run of the match. The Hawks dropped another run in the top of the fifth inning and two in the seventh for the 6-1 win.
On the mound for the Black Bears was Greg Norton, who pitched five innings and allowed four runs on five hits and sprinkled five strikeouts along the way. Norton fell to 3-5 on the season. Maine’s Ryan Harris got some time and pitched the final two innings for the Black Bears, allowing two runs on three hits. For Hartford, Jeff Stawarz pitched the gem, collecting a complete game on the day and improving to 3-2 on the year.
In the rubber game, Hartford snatched an early 2-0 advantage in the top of the third inning. For Hartford, the second quick start of the day saw Steve Moyer single to center field. Acabbo followed with a base clearing two-run home run, asserting himself as the offensive threat that he is known to be. Maine struck back in the bottom of the inning, when Aaron Izaryk singled to right and advanced to second on a wild pitch. The glory was saved for Joel Barrett, who doubled down the left field line, bringing Izaryk home for the run. Barrett got his own chance to come home when explosive Matt McGraw hit a laser to right field. Barrett easily scored on the play, evening up the game at two runs each.
The Black Bears’ bats came alive in the bottom of the fourth inning when Maine smashed home four runs. Joe Hough led off the inning with an impressive double to left field. Mike Ferriggi followed Hough’s double by reaching and advancing to second on a fielder’s choice, scoring Hough. Izaryk continued the barrage of hits with a single to center field that drove home Ferriggi. Creek continued with a single and Barrett drove home Izaryk with a single. Capping off the inning was Quintal, who singled to right field and drove home Creek for the fourth run of the inning.
The Hawks got a run back in the top of the fifth, when Moyer drove home Rick Langer with a sacrifice fly. Maine added a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to put the game out of reach for good. Simon Williams drove home Hough and Ferriggi with a two-run single to right field. Williams then stole second base for his team-leading 15th steal of the season.
Pitching for the Black Bears was Steve Richard, who threw five innings and allowed three runs on five hits and improved to 2-2 on the season. Troy Martin wrapped up the contest, pitching four scoreless innings in relief. He picked up his first save of the season with the appearance. Jeff Swedberg pitched 3.2 innings for Hartford and picked up the loss, while falling to 2-5 on the year. He allowed six runs on 10 hits.
The Black Bears return to action on Tuesday, April 20 when they travel to Sanford for a game with the Brown University Bears .
Bangor Daily News